Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of July 9, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Publication | July 20, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 21, 2026 (00:00 h) |
| Affected parties | Distributors and consumers of bottled butane between 8 and 20 kg throughout Spanish territory |
| Category | Energy |
| Period / Bimonthly | 2026/4 |
| Maximum price without taxes | 117.5664 cts.€/kg |
| Marketing cost | 60.8099 cts.€/kg |
| Theoretical price calculated | 115.6314 cts.€/kg |
| Accumulated mismatch previous bimonthly | +32.6573 cts.€/kg |
| Pending mismatch next review | +29.1263 cts.€/kg |
| Regulatory framework | Order IET/389/2015, modified by Order TED/211/2025 |
The price of bottled butane is rising again. The General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines has set for bimonthly 2026/4 a maximum price of 117.5664 cts.€/kg without taxes, applicable from July 21, 2026 to all supplies pending execution. The regulatory reference is the Resolution of July 9, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-15740).
The bimonthly review mechanism, regulated by Order IET/389/2015 in its version modified by Order TED/211/2025, incorporates accumulated mismatches from previous periods into the price of each new bimonthly period. This explains why the final price (117.5664 cts.€/kg) exceeds the theoretical price calculated for this bimonthly (115.6314 cts.€/kg): the difference of +1.9350 cts.€/kg corresponds to the partial transfer of the accumulated mismatch from the previous bimonthly (+32.6573 cts.€/kg).
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution updates the maximum selling price before taxes of commercial butane bottled in containers of equal or greater load to 8 kg and less than 20 kg, excluding mixture containers for LPG use as fuel. The review is bimonthly and follows the methodology of Order IET/389/2015, modified by Order TED/211/2025.
The components of the price set for bimonthly 2026/4 are as follows:
| Component | Value (cts.€/kg) |
|---|---|
| Theoretical price calculated for the bimonthly | 115.6314 |
| Accumulated mismatch transferred from previous bimonthly | +32.6573 |
| Maximum price without taxes resulting | 117.5664 |
| Of which: marketing cost | 60.8099 |
| Pending mismatch for next review (bimonthly 2026/5) | +29.1263 |
The autonomous communities of Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla may apply variations on marketing costs, so the final price in those territories may differ from the peninsular price.
Economic and operational impact
The maximum price of 117.5664 cts.€/kg exceeds the calculated theoretical price (115.6314 cts.€/kg) by 1.9350 cts.€/kg. This difference reflects the partial absorption of the accumulated mismatch from the previous bimonthly, which amounted to +32.6573 cts.€/kg.
The most relevant figure for cost planning is the pending mismatch of +29.1263 cts.€/kg that remains without being transferred to the price of this bimonthly. This amount will be incorporated, in whole or in part, in the review of bimonthly 2026/5, which anticipates sustained upward pressure on the price of bottled butane over the coming months.
For distributors, the price change is effective from 00:00 h on July 21, 2026 and affects all supplies pending execution from that time onwards, regardless of when the order was placed.
Who does it affect?
- Bottled butane distributors operating with containers of between 8 and 20 kg in peninsular Spanish territory.
- Distributors in Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, which may apply variations on marketing costs.
- Companies consuming bottled butane (hospitality, food industry, small retail, workshops) that use this container format for their production processes or services.
- Domestic consumers using butane cylinders of between 8 and 20 kg.
- Advisors and CFOs of companies with significant bottled butane consumption who need to update their energy cost forecasts for the second half of 2026.
Mixture containers intended for LPG use as fuel are not affected, nor are containers with load less than 8 kg or equal to or greater than 20 kg.
Practical example
A restaurant that consumes monthly 200 kg of bottled butane (in cylinders of between 8 and 20 kg) can calculate its maximum cost before taxes as follows:
| Concept | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly consumption | 200 kg | — |
| Maximum price without taxes (bimonthly 2026/4) | 200 kg × 117.5664 cts.€/kg | 235.13 € |
| Of which: marketing cost | 200 kg × 60.8099 cts.€/kg | 121.62 € |
If the calculated theoretical price (115.6314 cts.€/kg) had been applied without the effect of accumulated mismatch, the monthly cost would have been 231.26 €, that is, 3.87 € less per 200 kg. The pending mismatch of +29.1263 cts.€/kg for the next bimonthly could add up to 58.25 € additional per 200 kg if it is transferred entirely in the next review.
What should companies do now?
- Update supply contracts with distributors to verify that the price applied from July 21, 2026 does not exceed the maximum of 117.5664 cts.€/kg without taxes.
- Review pending orders: any supply not executed before 00:00 h on July 21, 2026 must be settled at the new maximum price.
- Update energy cost forecasts for the second half of 2026, incorporating the new price and the pending mismatch of +29.1263 cts.€/kg that will pressure upward in bimonthly 2026/5.
- Verify supply territory: if you operate in Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla, confirm with your distributor the applicable variations on marketing costs.
- Save the resolution as documentary reference for audits or claims against possible overpricing by distributors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum price of bottled butane from July 21, 2026?
The maximum selling price before taxes is set at 117.5664 cts.€/kg for bimonthly 2026/4. This price includes a marketing cost of 60.8099 cts.€/kg. It is applicable to commercial butane containers of between 8 and 20 kg, excluding mixture containers for use as fuel.
Why does the price of butane rise above the calculated theoretical price?
The theoretical price calculated for bimonthly 2026/4 was 115.6314 cts.€/kg. However, the bimonthly review mechanism (Order IET/389/2015, modified by Order TED/211/2025) incorporates accumulated mismatches from previous bimonthly periods. The accumulated mismatch from the previous bimonthly was +32.6573 cts.€/kg, which raises the final price to 117.5664 cts.€/kg.
Will the price of butane rise in the next bimonthly?
There is anticipated upward pressure. A positive mismatch of +29.1263 cts.€/kg remains pending that has not been transferred to the price of bimonthly 2026/4 and will be incorporated, in whole or in part, in the review of bimonthly 2026/5. This implies that the maximum price could continue to be higher than the calculated theoretical price in the next review.
From when is the new price effective and to which supplies does it apply?
The new maximum price is effective from 00:00 h on July 21, 2026 and applies to all supplies pending execution from that moment onwards, regardless of when the order was placed.
Is the price the same in Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla?
Not necessarily. The resolution establishes that Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla may apply variations on marketing costs, so the final price in those territories may differ from the maximum peninsular price of 117.5664 cts.€/kg. Distributors in those territories should confirm the applicable price according to authorized variations.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15740